INTERNATIONAL: China firmly opposes any form of official contact between the United States and Taiwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday, in response to a planned visit to Taiwan by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"China firmly opposes any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan. As an integral part of the U.S. government, the U.S. Congress should strictly abide by the one-China principle pursued by the U.S.," Zhao said at a press conference in Beijing.

Zhao said such a visit would severely disrupt Chinese-U.S. relations, and send a serious wrong signal to the forces seeking "Taiwan independence".

"If U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan, it will seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, severely harm the political foundation of China-U.S. relations and send a serious wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. China firmly opposes this and has already lodged stern representations with the U.S. side," Zhao said.

Zhao warned that China will take strong countermeasures if the U.S. continues the move which will break its commitment.

"The U.S. side should honor its commitment to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, cancel the planned visit of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi, stop its official contact with Taiwan and fulfill its commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence'. If the United States insists on having its own way, China will take strong measures in response, to unswervingly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. All possible consequences that arise from such a visit will completely be borne by the U.S. side," Zhao warned.